About This Job

Location

Level

Overview
To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values—integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion—must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

A Surgical Technologist prepares for and assists during surgical procedures. Accountable for patient safety, quality patient care, team work, efficiency and preparedness of the Operating Room for the patient surgical care. The Surgical Tech functions as an integral member of the surgical team who works closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel in delivering patient care and assumes supervised responsibilities before, during, and after surgery procedures. Responsibilities include but are not limited to preparing the operating room, instruments, equipment, and supplies that will be needed; positioning and preparing the patient for surgery; and passing instruments, sponges, and sutures to the surgeon. Other responsibilities include participation in and collaborating with the surgical team in decisions affecting patient care and safety.
Patient and family centered care (PFCC) at YNHH is demonstrated by working with patients and their families based on the 4 principles of PFCC: participation, dignity and respect, information sharing, and collaboration. This includes providing service excellence by creating a great "First Impression" by demonstrating exemplary customer service skills for all customer groups including patients, families/friends, physicians, staff and support department personnel.

EEO/AA Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran

Responsibilities

1. Contributes to the preparation of the surgery by assisting the Circulating Nurse in making availble all necessary supplies, instrumentation and equipment according to the needs of the patient and the surgical team. Maintain safety awareness as it applies to patient and equipment. Proper handling and identification of all specimens. Collaborates with team members to check and accurately restock necessary supplies in assigned room in a fiscally responsible manner.

1.1 Prepares the operative site for surgery under the direction of a registered nurse and assists the other members of the surgical team as needed; reports status of procedure to relief team.

2. Demonstrates commitment to personal growth and development. This is to include attending in-services, maintaining certification, keeping up-to-date on meeting minutes and updated policies and procedure.

2.1 Recognizes the importance of teamwork, consideration, and cooperation within the operating room.

3. Recognizes limitations in skills and knowledge and seeks opportunity to continually learn with acceptance of constructive criticism and implementing corrective action.

4. Responsible for preparing and maintaining sterile fields to assure
quality patient care. This is to include assuring integrity of
asepsis according to policies and procedures; maitain alertness
and report any break in technique. Assist and anticipate the
needs of the surgeon. Verify with Circulating Nurse complete,
sponge, needle and instrument counts. Inspection of supplies
and equipment for evidence of proper sterilization and integrity
according to standards.

4.1 Identifies the principles of sterile technique and applies these techniques when assisting each operative procedure.

A graduate of CAAHEP accredited surgical technology program or formal program as defined by the LCCST. 1-2 years of experience and certification as a surgical technician preferred. Initiates the application process of taking the LCC-ST certifying exam within 1 year of employment if not already certified.

SPECIAL SKILLS

Demonstrated knowledge of the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique combined with the knowledge of human anatomy and various instrumentation and procedures in all surgical areas and services. Demonstrates knowledge of all aspects of the Perioperative Department and works independently on surgical procedures. Utilizes the recommended guidelines as set forth in the Association of Surgical Technologist Standards of Practice in accomplishing job-related responsibilities.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

Standing 90% of the work day. Ability to lift up to 36 pounds, handle highly-stressful physical and interpersonal situations, do repetitive work, fine hand manipulations, and work at an elevated level from floor. Able to cope with repeated skin scrubbing and withstand variation in room temperatures.

About Yale New Haven Hospital

Yale New Haven Hospital provides diverse comprehensive care in over 100 medical specialties and serves as the primary teaching hospital for the Yale School of Medicine.